Device for introduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a device for introduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/form an apertured container, and it comprises at least one transfer (1) for transferring medium to or from the container, and at leant one seal. The seal is incorporated as a sealingly mounted part of the transfer member (1) and the transfer member (1) is by means of a fastening device (3), via the seal, sealingly secured to the container of a fastening device (3), via the seal, sealingly secured to the container aperture during use and them forms a closed system together with the container. The transfer member (1) is removable for replacement thereof after use and the seal has a sealable channel to interconnect the transfer member (1) and the container interior during use.

The present invention relates generally to a device for introductionand/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container, and moreparticularly to such devices for introduction and/or withdrawal of mediainto/from a container as are intended for use in areas with very strictrequirements on low contamination risks inside the container and/or inthe container environment.

Within for instance the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields and tosome extent in the food manufacturing and cosmetic industries there is acontinuous need for sampling of media, for example for micro-biologychecks, cell counts, or for chemical analysis, or for addition ofregulating or active media, such a pH-buffer of a biological startingculture, during a certain processing step in the production of productswithin each field. When such production is carried out under conditionsof low contamination requirements with respect to the media that aretaking part in the process, the production normally is carried out in asealed container. However, contamination risks arise when a medium is tobe added to or a sample be withdrawn from the container.

One example of a prior-art device for withdrawing samples from acontainer for the above mentioned usages is shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,779,082. The device comprises a self-sealing membrane disposed in anaperture in the container. A plurality of channels interconnect themembrane with the area exteriorly of the container. A transfer memberfitted with a hypodermic needle may be received in one of the channels,it being possible to introduce the hypodermic needle through themembrane into communication with the container interior. In this mannersamples may be withdrawn from the container or a medium be introducedinto the container via the hypodermic needle. A vinyl tape or the likecovers the upper ends of the channels until the transfer member isinserted into the channels. The device may be pre-sterilised, in whichcase the channels are not exposed to contamination risks until atransfer member is inserted therein.

A drawback inherent in this construction is that the upper part of themembrane may be contaminated in connection with the transfer membercontacting the membrane. Impurities and the like may be drawn into thecontainer via the hypodermic needle. In addition, a small amount of themedium will always accompany the hypodermic needle as the latter iswithdrawn from the membrane. In this manner the area exteriorly of thecontainer is exposed to contamination risks when this prior device is inuse, which is particularly serious when for instance specimen of toxicmedia are being withdrawn.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,042 is shown another device for withdrawal ofsamples from a container. This device comprises two self-sealingmembrane parts which are sealingly disposed in a hose fitting in acontainer. An aseptic medium, such as steam or the like, flows from aninlet to an outlet in the hose fitting intermediate the membrane part.The hypodermic needle of a transfer member pierces the outer membranepart and is disinfected by the steam before being introduced into theinner membrane into communication with the container interior. In thisposition a sample may be withdrawn. When the hypodermic needle is pulledout, it is again sterilised by steam in the area intermediate themembrane parts.

The drawback inherent in this device is that to use steam requiresexpensive special equipment. Steam may be useful for sterilising againstbacteria but this equipment cannot be used for sampling media that mustnot contaminate the environment and that are not destroyed by steam,since they may accompany the hypodermic needle as the latter iswithdrawn from the two membrane parts or contaminate the area betweenthe membrane parts or the steam tube system connected to the areabetween the membrane parts. In addition, the sample and the environmentmay come into contact with one another via the hypodermic needle tunnel,once the hypodermic needle has been withdrawn from the membrane parts,which in itself constitutes a contamination risk.

On account of the risks of contamination of the medium inside thecontainer and the container environment, sampling or introducing ofmedia normally are carried out in "clean rooms" by means of devices inaccordance with prior-art technology, which envolves high investmentcosts for ventilation equipment, locks and the like, in addition towhich the requirements on the personnel working in the "clean room" areparticularly severe.

A first object of the subject invention thus is to provide a device forintroduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container,according to which the medium upon and following withdrawal is protectedfrom contamination from the environment.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a device forintroduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container,according to which the environment is protected from contamination fromthe medium being withdrawn.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a device forintroduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container,according to which the medium, when being introduced into the container,is protected from contamination from the environment.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a device forintroduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container,according to which the environment is protected from contaminationduring introduction of a medium into the container.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a device forintroduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container,according to which a sample that has been withdrawn from the container,is representative of the medium inside the container.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a device forintroduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container,according to which the device may be used also outside "clean rooms".

These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention bymeans of a device for introduction and/or withdrawal of a mediuminto/from a container as defined in claim 1.

Other particularities and advantageous embodiments are defined in thedependent claims.

In the following will be described currently preferred embodiments ofthe present invention in closer detail with reference to the accompaningdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematical exploded view showing one embodiment of a devicefor introduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/from a container.

FIG. 2 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 schematically in its assembledcondition.

FIG. 3 is a schematical cross-sectional view showing a transfer memberwith the tip of a hypodermic needle disposed in a protective membraneportion.

FIG. 4 is a schematical cross-sectional view of the transfer member ofFIG. 3, according to which the tip of the hypodermic needle aspenetrated the membrane portion.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the device whenattached to a container.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view, showing an alternativeembodiment of a collection receptacle in a compressed condition.

FIG. 7 is a shematical cross-sectional view of the collection receptacleillustrated in FIG. 6, showing said receptacle in an expanded positionand also showing schematically, by means of a dash-and-dot line, thecollection receptacle in its compressed condition.

The device illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises five transfer members eachone of which is designated generally by reference 1. In accordance witha preferred embodiment the transfer member 1 is an injector/ejectormeans. At its lower end each transfer member is formed with a seal,generally designated by reference 2. In addition, the device comprises afastening device, generally designated by 3, which device consists ofthree parts.

Each transfer member 1 is provided with a holder 4. The holder enclosesthe upper end of a hypodermic needle 5. The lower edge of the holder 4is formed with a downwardly open groove 6 having an essentially circularcross-sectional configuration.

The seal 2 is formed with an upper bellows-shaped part 7. At its upperend the bellows-shaped part 7 is formed with a bead 8 which is insertedin the groove 6, thus sealingly interconnecting the seal 2 and theholder 4. The bellows-shaped part 7 encloses the hypodermic needle 5 inthe longitudinal direction thereof and it may be compressed in thelengthwise direction of the needle 5 between the positions illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. At its lower end the seal 2 is formedwith a membrane portion 9 the upper end of which is sealingly attachedto the bellows-shaped part 7. The membrane portion 9 is self-sealing andis pierceable by the tip 10 of the hypodermic needle.

The fastening device 3 comprises one flanged part, generally designatedby reference 11. The flanged part 11 is formed with an essentiallycircular base plate 12 in which five through holes 13 are made, eachhaving a diameter-size allowing passage therethrough of a hypodermicneedle 5. About each hole 13, in the upper face of the base plate 12, isformed a seat 14, said seat being essentially centered about the hole13. The lower end of the membrane portion 9 is formed with a collar 15fitting the seat 14. From the upper face of the flanged part 11,projecting essentially perpendicularly therefrom, is arranged a stubaxle 16 having a threaded upper end.

The fastening device 3 likewise comprises an essentially cylindricalmagazine part, generally designated by 17. A centrally located,longitudinal through channel 18 passes through the magazine part 17,through which channel the stub axle 16 may project. In addition, themagazine part 17 is formed with five through apertures 19 extending inparallel with channel 18 and having a diameter-size corresponding to orslightly exceeding the diameter-sizes of the holder 4, thebellows-shaped part 7, and the upper end of the membrane portion 9 butbeing smaller than the diameter of the collar 15. The lower end of eachaperture 19 is connected to a longitudinal outwardly open groove 20provided in the peripheral surface of the magazine part 17 exteriorly ofthe associated aperture 19. At its upper end, the groove 20 is formedwith two lateral recesses 21.

The magazine part 17 and the flanged part 11 have a centering meansgenerally designated by 22 (see FIG. 2). The centering means 22comprises at least one pin 23 projecting essentially perpendicularlyfrom the lower part of the peripheral surface of the magazine part 17.The flanged part 11 is formed on its upper face with an annular means 24matching the cross-sectional area of the magazine part 17 so as to fitthe exterior of the latter. The annular means 24 is formed with at leastone slit 25 into which the pin 23 may be inserted.

The upper end of the hypodermic needle 5 is sealingly connected to ahose socket or fitting 26 which is receivable in the groove 20. The hosesocket 26 may be formed with a peripheral stop shoulder 27 (see FIG. 1)alternatively, the hose socket 26 may in itself function as a stopshoulder (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In FIGS. 1 and 2 the stop shoulder 27 hasa larger diameter-size than the groove 20 and is spaced such a distancefrom the holder 4 that the transfer member 1 may be introduced into theaperture 19 and the groove 20 from the lower end of the magazine part17.

In addition, fastening device 3 comprises a locking part, generallydesignated by 28, said locking part being formed at its upper end with aknob 29 and at its lower end with a threaded bore (not shown) into whichthe stub axle 16 may be screwed.

The stub axle 16, the channel 18, and the locking part 28 together forma device fastening means, generally designated by reference 30.

The hose socket 26 is sealingly connected to a collection receptacle,generally designated by 31, preferably by means of a hose 32. Thecollection receptacle 31, shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 5, hasa bottom portion 33 and a top portion 34 which are sealinglyinterconnected. The bottom portion 33 is manufactured from a stiffermaterial than the top portion 4. The top portion 34 is formed with anessentially centered handle 40 on its exterior and may be formed withfolding initiation means 35 on its surface, essentially centered aboutthe handle 40. The collection receptacle 31 is expandable into theconfiguration illustrated by the right-hand receptacle in FIG. 5, andcompressible into the configuration shown by the left-hand collectionreceptacles in FIG. 5. The expansion and compression, may if required,be facilitated by the folding initiation means 35. However, such meansare not a precondition for the function of the collection receptacle 31.

The operation of the device will appear from the description to follow.The flanged part 11 is associated with a container, generally designatedby 36, via an aperture 37 therein. The flanged part 11 is secured in theaperture 37 in such a manner that it seals the edges of the aperture 37.In this position the holes 13 set the interior of the container 36 incommunication with the environment. Initially, the container is empty(not shown) and it is of the type used in processes requiring containersthat may be sealed off against the environment.

Five unused transfer members 1 are inserted into the magazine part 17from underneath. The stop shoulders 27 are then turned laterally intolocking engagement with a lateral recess 21 (see FIG. 2). When atransfer member 1 assumes its inserted position its collar 15 abutsagainst the lower portion of the magazine part 17. The upper portion ofthe holder 4 projects through the upper portion of the magazine part 17.In this starting position each hypodermic needle 5 is sealinglyintroduced into the membrane portion 9 to assume the positionillustrated in FIG. 3. The magazine part 17 is then slid over the stubaxle 16. The annular means 24, the pin 23 and the slit 25 co-operate tocenter the magazine part 17 in such a manner that the hypodermic needle5 of each transfer member 1 will be positioned straight above acorresponding hole 13. The collar 15 of each transfer member 1 fits thecorresponding seat 14. The locking part 28 is then screwed onto the stubaxle 16, whereby the magazine part 17 is locked in the positionillustrated in FIG. 2. In this locked position the material of theself-sealing collar 15 is compressed, exerting a sealing pressing actionagainst the seat 14, whereby the holes 13 will be sealed against theenvironment.

The hypodermic needle 5, the hose 32 and the collection receptacle 31form a unit that is sealed against the environment as long as thehypodermic needle 5 remains in the position illustrated in FIG. 3. Theunit preferably is pre-sterilised. At their upper ends the collectionreceptacles 31 are formed with an aperture by means of which thereceptacles may be suspended from hook means 38 on the container 36.

After the device thus having been secured to the container 36 in themanner described, the interior of the container 36 may be cleansed andsterilised in any known manner. During this procedure the inner face ofthe flanged part 11, the holes 13 and the lower part of the membraneportion 9 in contact with the interior of the tank are cleaned. Allcomponents of the device that come into contact with the interior of thecontainer 36 thus will achieve the same degree of purity as the interiorof the container 36, whereby the risks of contamination from thesecomponents are eliminated.

The container 36 is thereafter filled with a medium 39 to a level abovethe aperture 37 and the process inside the container may be initiated.When samples are to be withdrawn from the container 36 the stop shoulder27 of one of the transfer members 1 is turned to dislodge it from itslocking engagement with a lateral recess 21. The stop shoulder 27 isthen displaced, and consequently also the hypodermic needle 5 and thebellows-shaped part 7, in the lengthwise direction of the groove 20 andthe aperture 19, to the position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 byreference 41, wherein the tip 10 of the hypodermic needle 5 haspenetrated the membrane portion 9. In this position, the collectionreceptacle 31 is in sealed communication with the interior of thecontainer 36. Since the tip 10 of the hypodermic needle 5 ispre-sterilised no contamination has arisen from this movement.

Owing to the hydrostatic pressure caused by the level differencesbetween the medium inside the container 36 and the collection receptacle31, the medium 39 may in position 41 illustrated in FIG. 5 flow throughthe hypodermic needle 5, through the hose 32 to be collected in thecollection receptacle 31. As the container 31 is being filled, itexpands, and this expansion is facilitated by the above-mention foldinginitiation means 35. In order to speed up the filling operation thecollection receptacle 31 may initially be expanded manually with the aidof the handle 40, causing a vacuum pressure to generate in thecollection receptacle 31.

When a sufficient amount of the medium 39 has been withdrawn from thecontainer 36, the transfer member 1 is retracted to the positionillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 by reference 42 and it is locked in thatposition through the engagement of the stop shoulder 27 in the a lateralrecess 21. This seals the channel formed by the needle 5 inside themembrane portion 9, whereby the tip 10 of the hypodermic needle 5 willbe sealed inside the membrane portion 9. Since the hypodermic needle 5,the hose 32 and the collection receptacle 31 again form a closed, sealedsystem contamination of the withdrawn sample or contamination of theenvironment outside the container 36 are prevented. Owing to the lowercollar 15 of the membrane portion 9 being pressed against the seat 14 ofthe fastening means 30 the sealing effect between these parts isimproved, in addition to which the self-sealing capacity of the membraneportion 9 is increased.

The hose 32 leading to a filled collection receptacle 31 may thereafterbe sealingly cut off by a cutter means (not shown), whereupon thecollection receptacle 31 may be transported to a laboratory or the likewhile still all contamination risks are avoided. The cutting means couldfor example be a device of the kind that fuses together the two hoseends, or it could be a device which sealingly squeezes together the hoseends by means of clamps.

Five samples may be withdrawn by the device in accordance with the shownembodiment. The number of devices for a container 36 as well as thenumber of transfer members 1 for each device could, however, differ.

When the process in the container 36 has come to an end, the containeris emptied, cleansed and disinfected from within. During this operationthe components of the device that are exposed to the tank interior arecleansed. The locking part 28 may then be released and the magazine part17 be pulled off from the stub axle 16 without risks of contaminatingthe environment. The entire magazine part 17 may then be exchanged for anew magazine part 17 that is loaded with unused transfer members 1.Alternatively, it is possible to replace used transfer members 1 in oneand the same magazine part 17. As long as used hypodermic needles 5 arenot pulled out of the membrane portion 9 the hypodermic needle 5 and thecorresponding cut-off hose end form a closed, sealed system. Usedhypodermic needles, hose parts and collection receptacles are destructedin a manner suitable considering the medium, for instance byincineration. The parts of the device which after use are to bedestructed preferably are incinerated, since these parts as such aremanufactured from a combustible material that does not emit noxiousfumes. The magazine part 17 is then locked in the position as indicatedabove and the interior of the container 36 is cleaned and disinfectedpreparatory to a new process step.

The hose 32 of a filled collection receptacle 31 obviously need not becut off for transportation of the sample when the magazine). part 17 isremoved from the container 36. Instead, the transfer member 1 may beremoved from the magazine part 17, and the transfer member 1, the hose32, and the collection receptacle 31 be transported to a laboratory orthe like. Alternatively, the hose 32 may be directly connected toanalysis equipment, to another container or the like.

It is not either necessary to remove the magazine part 17 and thetransfer member 1 each time the container 36 is emptied and cleaned,since the parts of the device that are exposed to the interior of thecontainer 36 are imparted the same degree of purity as the containerinterior upon cleaning and disinfection thereof. Consequently, thedevice may be used in several processing steps without being removed, aslong as the number of unused transfer members 1 is sufficiently large.

A second hose may be sealingly connected to the collection receptacle 31or to the hose 32. At the end of the second hose a pre-sterilisedsyringe may be sealingly attached for transfer of the specimen toanother container or the like. Furthermore, the second hose may beconnected to a second transfer member 1. In this manner, the medium 39may be withdrawn from a container 36 in a sealed condition and beintroduced into a second container (not shown) in sealed condition bymeans of a device as described above. In this case a hypodermic needle10 is introduced into the second container, whereupon the collectionreceptacle 31 is positioned above the level of the medium in the secondcontainer, whereupon the medium in sealed condition may be introducedinto the container by means of the hydrostatic pressure. In order tofacilitate the introduction of the medium the deformable upper portion34 of the collection receptacle 31 may be compressed against the bottomportion 33.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a second embodiment of a collection receptacle 31'.Parts similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 havereceived the same references in FIGS. 6-7 but with the addition of aprime sign. The collection receptacle 31' comprises a first essentiallyarch-shaped part 33' and a second essentially arch-shaped flexible part34'. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated the parts 33' and 34'are essentially domed and preferably are manufactured from a plasticsmaterial, the first part 33' preferably being manufactured from amaterial possessing a higher degree of rigidity than material of thesecond flexible part 34'. In FIG. 7 continuous lines illustrate thecollection receptacle 34' in an expanded position in which it is filledwith medium 39' whereas dash-and-dot-lines illustrate the receptacle inits compressed position. In the compressed position the second flexiblepart 34' is disposed adjacent the first part 33' to allow a collectionreceptacle 31' to be completely emptied of medium 39' that has collectedtherein. As appears from FIGS. 6-7 a handle 40' is provided on thesecond flexible part 34' to facilitate handling of the second flexiblepart 34' between the expanded position and the compressed position.However, it is easily understood that it is likewise possible to realisethe shift from one position to the other in some other way, for exampleby making use of the hydrostatic pressure like in the first embodimentabove.

The first part 33' and the second flexible part 34' are interconnectedin an interconnection area 50 along a facing marginal portions of theparts. The joint or interconnection between the parts 33'-34' may bemade for instance by gluing or welding. As appears from FIG. 7 theinterconnection area 50 in accordance with the shown preferredembodiment extends essentially in parallel with the extension of themarginal areas of the second flexible part 34' in the expanded position.Owing to this arrangement the risk of bursting of the second flexiblepart 34' in the interconnection area 30' is reduced as is also the riskof tearing in the connection area 50 as the collection receptacle 51 isexposed to an excess pressure, e.g. in comparison with a structurewherein an interconnection area between the first and the second partsextends horizontally with respect to FIG. 7 (not shown).

Externally of its dome the first part 33' preferably is formed with anannular collar or flange 51 which extends along said interconnectionarea 50 and which is connected to the second flexible part 34' by beingjoined thereto in the interconnection area 50. The collar 51 and thefirst part 33' are interconnected in accordance with the shownembodiment along a peaked rim 52 bent at a preferably acute angle α,across which rim the second flexible part 34' may be shifted between thecompressed position and the expanded position. Preferably, theinterconnection area 50 extends exteriorly of said peaked rim 52. Therim 52 consequently acts as a "hinge" across which the second flexiblepart 34' moves between the expanded and the compressed positions. Whenthe interconnection area 50 extends beyond said peaked rim 52, as is thecase in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the "hinge" movementaffects the interconnection area 50 less as this second flexible part34' moves, as compared with what would be the case, had saidinterconnection for instance extended up to or terminated interiorly ofsaid marginal area 50. The movement of the second flexible part 34 thusis effected in accordance with the embodiment in an area which isdisposed interiorly of the interconnection area 50, imparting higherstrength to the interconnection between the first part 33' and thesecond flexible part 34'.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 the collection receptacle 31' is formed with atleast one channel 53 which in accordance with the embodiment shownextends through said interconnection area 50 and which in accordancewith the shown embodiment is connected to a hose 32', the latter in turnbeing connected to a hypodermic needle disposed in a transfer member 1'of similar construction to that described above and which has a holder4' and a seal means 2'. In this manner, the collection receptacle 31'thus is connected to the hypodermic needle of the transfer member 1'. Inaccordance with the shown embodiment the channel 53 is likewise by meansof a second hose 54 connected to a hypodermic needle 55 known per se,which is provided in a close-fitting removable cover 56. A clampingdevice 57 known per se is arranged about the second hose 54 inaccordance with the shown embodiment. The entire unit illustrated inFIG. 6 is preferably pre-sterilised and preferably forms a sealed unitprior to use.

The collection receptacle 31' and accessories are shown in FIG. 6 in atransportation position wherein the hoses 32' and 54 are disposedunderneath flaps 58 and 59, respectively fastened by snap fasteners. Theclamping device 57 and/or the hoses 32' and 54, respectively, and/or thetransfer member 1 preferably are disposed in depressed parts in a holder62 located around the collection receptacle 31' in order to provideimproved stackability of the collection receptacle 31'. In accordancewith the shown preferred embodiment the holder 62 is a continuation ofthe first part 33'. Consequently, for instance the hoses 32' and 54 maybe disposed in the position of transportation in grooves 60 and 61,respectively, as seen in FIG. 7. Also the clamping device 57 isillustrated in FIG. 6 in a depressed position in the holder 62.

As appears from FIG. 6 the second flexible part 34' is formed inaccordance with the shown embodiment with a portion 63 which forinstance by welding or gluing is interconnected with the holder adjacentthe channel 53 and the area of interconnection of the channel 53 withthe respective hose 32', 54 to allow sealing interconnection of therespective hose 32', 54 with the collection receptacle 31'.

It is easily understood that via the collection receptacle 31' and ahypodermic needle arrangement 55, 56, 57 and/or directly, the transfermember 1' may be connected to another container, another collectionvessel, analysis equipment, or some other form of receptacle, etcetera.

By the inventive construction a device is provided according to whichthe introduced and/or withdrawn medium is protected from contaminationfrom the environment of the container 36. In addition a device isprovided protecting the environment from the withdrawn and/or introducedmedium. Owing to this device a representative specimen may be withdrawnfrom the container without involving or causing contamination risks.Because the device, when correctly used, eliminates contamination risksin the container and in its environment, the container may be disposedin an ordinary room with no particular strict requirements oncleanliness. Because a collars 15 of the different transfer members 1are separate from one another upon sampling or introduction of mediuminto the container 36 there is no risk of cross-contamination between afirst collar 15 and a second collar 15. Because it is clearly apparentfrom a filled collection receptacle 31; 31' or from a cut-off hose 32;32'; 54 that the corresponding transfer member 1; 1' has been used therisk that a hypodermic needle 5 would be used twice by mistake is verysmall, which, had it occurred, could have involved a contamination risk.Because the hypodermic needle 5, the hose 32; 32', and the collectionreceptacle 31; 31' form a pre-sterilised sealed unit and because theparts of the device that are exposed to the container interior arecleansed and disinfected simultaneously with the cleaning and thedisinfection of the container, the device has a contamination levelcorresponding to that of the container interior. Because the point onthe hose 32; 32' where the cut is effected is sealed the joint can nevercontaminate the environment.

It is easily understood that certain deviations from the descriedembodiment may be made. For instance the number of parts and theconfiguration of the fastening device 3 may be varied. In addition, thehose 32; 32' could for instance be a tube. The grooves 20 may run alongthe entire outer face of the magazine part 17 and a stop/locking devicebe arranged in the locking part 28, the function of which corresponds tothat of the stop means and the locking means in the upper part of thegroove 20 and the lateral recesses 21. The container 36 obviously couldbe in the form of a tank, a tube pipe or other type of vessel. All suchof varieties and modifications that are encompassed by the basicinventive concept should be regarded to be within the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A device for one of introduction and withdrawal of a mediuminto a container having an aperture formed therein for receiving saiddevice, said device comprising:at least one removable, replaceabletransfer member for transferring a medium into and out of the container,said transfer member comprising a holder, a seal for sealing saidaperture, a hypodermic needle having a tip, said needle supported withinsaid holder in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the seal has afirst end comprised of a bellows-shaped part sealingly attached to saidholder, and a second end comprising a self-sealing membrane portioninteriorly formed at an end of said bellows part, said membrane portionfor sealing said aperture of said container, wherein said bellows-shapedpart surrounds said needle and is deformable in a longitudinaldirection, said membrane portion pierceable by the tip of the needle toform a sealable channel; a fastening device for sealingly securing thetransfer member via the seal with the aperture of the container, therebyforming a closed system, said fastening device comprising a flanged partsealingly secured in the aperture and formed with at least one holetherethrough in communication with an interior of said container, amagazine part for removable securement of said at least one transfermember, and a fastening and centering means for removable locking of themagazine part to a flanged part in a position wherein the membraneportion sealingly abuts against the hole of the flanged part so as toaccept the hypodermic needle for introduction into and withdrawal fromthe container through the membrane portion and the hole.
 2. The deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a stubaxle attached to an upper face of the flanged part and which projectsperpendicularly therefrom, said magazine part including a channeltherein through which the stub axle extends when in a locked positionwith the magazine part, said locking part attached to the stub axle soas to interconnect the magazine part and the flanged part.
 3. The deviceas claimed in claim 2, wherein the membrane portion is formed with abottom collar that is clamped between the flanged part and the magazinepart when in a locked position.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3,wherein the transfer member includes a stop shoulder formed thereon andthe magazine part has a top end, a bottom end, a peripheral surface, anda centrally located, longitudinally extending throughbore for receivingsaid stub axle therein, at least one longitudinally extending aperturedisposed between said central throughbore and said peripheral surface, agroove formed in the peripheral surface so as to communicate with saidaperture, said groove having an upper end formed with at least onelateral recess, said transfer member and the stop shoulder being movablein the aperture and in the groove in the longitudinal direction of thehypodermic needle between a first and locked position, in which theneedle is in communication with the interior of the container and asecond position, in which the stop shoulder is disposed in the upper endof the groove and in which the tip of the hypodermic needle is sealinglydisposed inside the membrane portion, said stop shoulder arranged, insaid second position, to be displaced in response to a turning movement,into engagement with a lateral recess to lock the transfer member insaid position.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thehypodermic needle is sealingly connected to a collection receptacle,said collection receptacle being expandable upon withdrawal of mediumfrom the container and compressible upon introduction of medium into thecontainer.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the collectionreceptacle is connected to the hypodermic needle via a hose, and in thata cutting device is provided to sealingly cut said hose in order to freethe collection receptacle from the hypodermic needle.
 7. The device asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the collection receptacle has a first partand a second flexible part, and a handle arranged in said flexible part,said handle allowing a vacuum to be produced in the collectionreceptacle upon pulling on the handle as said receptacle is beingexpanded during withdrawal of said medium.
 8. The device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the collection receptacle has a first domed part havinga marginal area and a second flexible domed part having a secondmarginal area, said parts being interconnected along respective facingmarginal areas in an interconnection area, the second flexible partmovable between a first compressed position wherein said second positionbulges into the first part and a second expanded position in which saidsecond part bulges outwards from the first part.
 9. The device asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the collection receptacle is formed with achannel which extends through said interconnection area.
 10. The deviceas claimed in claim 9, wherein said channel is connectable by means of asecond hose to one of the group consisting of a second container,another collection receptacle, analysis equipment and the hose.
 11. Thedevice as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first part and the secondflexible part are arranged in said first compressed position, closelyadjacent one another to allow the collection receptacle to be emptied ofall medium.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein in theexpanded position, the interconnection area extends essentially inparallel with the extension of the marginal area of the second flexiblepart.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first part isdelimited by a collar extending along said interconnection area andbeing connected to said second, flexible part.
 14. The device as claimedin claim 13, wherein said collar and said first part are interconnectedalong a peaked rim formed at an acute angle (α), across which rim thesecond, flexible portion is moveable between the first compressedposition and the second expanded position, and wherein theinterconnection area extends exteriorly of said rim.